Delhi Replacing 2500 Ageing Buses with 5000 New Electric Fleet by 2025

The national capital is preparing to retire over 2,500 ageing buses from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster services fleets by the end of 2025.

The phasing out, which commenced in March, is part of a broader transition towards a modern, zero-emission bus network underpinned by electric mobility.  Data from the city’s Transport Department reveals that 397 buses have already been withdrawn from service, with 345 belonging to the DTC fleet of 1,860. These vehicles, many of which were inducted during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, have long surpassed their optimal operating lifecycle. Officials indicated that while buses have a designated shelf life of 12 years—10 years of use and two under an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)—many have continued running for up to 15 years post-AMC, often leading to frequent breakdowns and mechanical failures.

With Delhi’s sweltering summer temperatures approaching, authorities have raised safety concerns around these outdated buses, especially over risks such as overheating and potential fire incidents. Officials noted that inspections are carried out before granting extensions to any vehicle beyond its AMC period. However, the operational strain and diminishing efficiency of older models have triggered a shift in policy. The cluster bus service, managed by the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System (DIMTS), is facing similar attrition. Around 997 buses have exceeded their operational timeline, with some cluster operators recently granted short-term interim relief by courts following contract-related appeals. While some of these cluster routes will see gradual fleet reductions, others have already commenced full-scale decommissioning.

Amidst this withdrawal of legacy fleets, the city is preparing for a significant capacity upgrade through the introduction of electric buses. Under the National Electric Bus Programme (NEBP) Phase 1 and the PM E-Drive initiative, over 5,000 new electric buses are set to be inducted into Delhi’s public transport network. Of this, 2,080 nine-metre-long e-buses have already been awarded through procurement contracts signed with five private concessionaires—JBM Ecolife, PMI Electro Mobility, GreenCell Mobility, White Bus, and Switch Mobility. These buses will serve both DTC and cluster operations, forming the backbone of Delhi’s future-ready, eco-friendly bus fleet. Additionally, proposals for 1,300 twelve-metre-long buses under PM E-Drive are under review. Separate tenders for another 1,900 e-buses have been floated, of which around 400 are expected to join the fleet imminently.

Officials from the department stated that the transition is being implemented in a phased manner to ensure continuity of services. As older buses exit the system, newer electric vehicles will be inducted proportionately, minimising service gaps and preserving route integrity. The move aligns with Delhi’s broader climate and public health goals, including reductions in air pollution and noise levels, as well as bolstering commuter experience through cleaner, more reliable transit modes. Public transport planners suggest that this shift is not just about replacing buses, but about reimagining the city’s urban mobility framework through sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking infrastructure.

Experts in transport sustainability have welcomed the development as a step towards meeting India’s net-zero targets and improving last-mile connectivity across urban clusters. They emphasise that electrifying large portions of the public bus fleet can dramatically cut vehicular emissions and position Delhi as a model for green public transport nationwide. While the road to full-scale electrification presents logistical and operational challenges, the administration’s push to modernise its fleet reflects a growing recognition of the environmental costs of clinging to obsolete systems. It also signals a commitment to commuter safety, operational efficiency and clean urban development—key components of any truly future-ready metropolis.

As these changes unfold through 2025, Delhi’s residents are poised to experience a significant transformation in their daily commute, one that aspires to blend reliability, safety and sustainability in equal measure.

Delhi Replacing 2500 Ageing Buses with 5000 New Electric Fleet by 2025